Project Updates

Kasich Commits to Replacing Buckeye Lake Dam

COLUMBUS, OH
– Today Governor John R. Kasich, in a meeting with state and local officials
and first responders, announced that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
(ODNR) will immediately begin work to replace Buckeye Lake Dam. A recent report
by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) outlined serious
structural deficiencies with the dam as well as options for reducing the risk
to public safety posed by a catastrophic failure.

ODNR
will immediately begin the necessary permitting and design work. The governor
stressed that the safety of the people who live and work in the inundation zone
will continue to be prioritized throughout this process.

“The
Corps report clearly tells us that we have reached a point in time at which
lives are in jeopardy, and our priority must be protecting those people in
harm’s way,” said Kasich. “Buckeye Lake will remain a special place for many
Ohioans, and our intention is to save the lake and preserve this unique
community.”

Said
ODNR Director James Zehringer, “We understand how vital this lake is to the
families and businesses in the area, so we will put in motion the processes
necessary to build this dam. These are complex structures, and with lives
and livelihoods at stake, putting off tough decisions only creates
additional problems in the future.”

Zehringer
indicated that the agency was prepared to release a Request for Qualifications
(RFQ) as soon as possible.

Buckeye
Lake Chronology

March
11 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report
released detailing deficiencies identified at Buckeye Lake
Dam. Click here to read
the report.

March
16 Ohio EMA and ODNR host emergency
preparedness meeting for local and state first responders, local officials and
impacted groups.

March
17 Fairfield County Commissioners host
public meeting for residents to share concerns about the dam, ODNR in
attendance.